Arctic and Northen European waters

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1

This is the UK’s maritime commitment to NATO operations. The task group will take part in a number of operations and exercises, maritime security patrols and regional engagement across Northern European waters and the surrounding area.

The Standing NATO Maritime Groups, are a multinational, integrated maritime force made up of vessels from various allied countries. These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from participating in exercises to intervening in operational missions.

These groups provide NATO with a continuous maritime capability for operations and other activities in peacetime and in periods of crisis and conflict. They also help to establish Alliance presence, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits to different countries, support transformation and provide a variety of maritime military capabilities to ongoing missions.

What we are doing

Why we are there

UK's maritime commitment to NATO operations in peacetime and periods of crisis and conflicts

We have been preparing for this deployment throughout 2015 with a great deal of effort making sure we have a ship and crew that is ready for the task

Commander Ben Aldous, Commanding Officer HMS Iron Duke

Providing security at sea

The UK has a responsibility to its citizens and its allies to endeavour to safeguard the high seas. This is why the Royal Navy protects home and international waters – making sure the global trade that Britain and the world depend on can proceed without a hitch.

International partnerships

As the fifth largest economy in the world, the UK has responsibilities towards its allies and partners. But Britain also has global ambitions – namely to protect the seaways underpinning the country’s prosperity. The Royal Navy plays a crucial role in fostering these enduring and lasting alliances with other nations.